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Generation Properties

Generation

Under the 'Generation' group there are 5 different modes to chose from. Many of these properties repeat, however, each property has been grouped in these modes in order for the user to quickly and easily obtain their desire effect.

Any settings and changes made only effect the mode that the user has selected. This allows comparisons to be made between the different modes.

Classic

Style

  • Absolute: Generation: Frequency and Steps: Number values are set explicitly. (Enumeration)
  • Relative: Generation: Frequency and Steps: Number values are computed based on the length of the parent node. (Enumeration)

First
The lowest point on the parent where nodes can occur. (Percentage)

Last
The highest point on the parent where nodes can occur. (Percentage)

Frequency
The number of nodes generated. (Integer / Float)

If Generation: Style is set to relative, this integer becomes a float and the actual number of nodes generated is computed based on the length of the parent.

Pruning
Removes branches systematically after generation (post-balance and stepping). (Curve)

Size Scalar
Scales not only the size of the nodes themselves, but also the size of their children. (Float)

Sink
Adjusts the starting position of all nodes, allowing them to “sink” into (or be pushed away from) their parent. Importantly, sink is applied after branch welding is computed. (Float)

Degradation Style

  • Default: If degradation is enabled, the frequency scalar will only affect this generator if it is the topological end of a generator chain (i.e. it has no children). (Enumeration)
  • Always: If degradation is enabled, the frequency scalar will always affect this generator. (Enumeration)
  • Never: If degradation is enabled, the frequency scalar will never affect this generator (useful for something like roots, which often have no children but do not slow down compute). (Enumeration)

Orientation: Alignment

  • None: Nodes have a random orientation. (Enumeration)
  • Align: The first node in each step is centered vertically on its parent. (Enumeration)
  • Center Align: Each step is re-aligned so the Sweep range is centered vertically on its parent. (Enumeration)
If 'Steps' are disabled, the initial generation angle is centered vertically on the parent node instead.

Orientation: Balanced
Nodes can be balanced (equally spaced) radially by enabling this property. (Boolean)

Changing the Generation: Frequency or Generation: Step: Number properties will result in positional shifting in order to maintain equal spacing.

Orientation: Offset
The computed angle for each node is offset [+/-] between 0 and this amount. (Float)

Orientation: Sweep
The arc around the parent node where nodes are eligible. (Percentage)

Balance is applied after the sweep arc is defined.

Orientation: Roll
Each node is rotated this absolute amount from its computed angle. (Float)

Steps: Enabled
When enabled, nodes are grouped into lengthwise “steps” along the parent node. Balance, angle offset, and other properties will be applied per step.

Each step contains approximately (Generation: Frequency ÷ Generation: Step: Number) branches. (Boolean)

Steps: Number
The number of steps to distribute the computed frequency among. (Integer / Float )

If Generation: Style is set to relative, this integer becomes a float and the actual number of steps generated is computed based on the length of the parent node.

Steps: Spread
The maximum amount of lengthwise node spacing allowed from the center of each step to its extents. (Percentage)

Steps: Roll
The amount each step is rolled relative to the previous step. (Percentage)

Steps: Per Step Frequency
The number of nodes per step is equal to the value for generation:frequency, rather than the frequency value being distributed among all the steps. (Boolean)

Masks
Assign mask assets here to limit the placement of generation. Read more about mask assets in the documentation. (Multiproperty)

Collections
When checked, the geometry of this generator is included in one or more mesh collections. (Multiproperty)

Collections must be enabled on the 'Mesh Asset Bar' first to appear here. See the help manual for more information on collections.




Proportional

Proportional: Number
The number of nodes generated for a parent of average length (longer parents get more, shorter parents get less). (Integer)

Proportional: Jumble
A variance of each of the placement attributes is placed on each individual node in order to achieve a more natural and random appearance. (Float)

Proportional: Sweep
The arc around the parent node where nodes are eligible. (Percentage)

Proportional: Roll
Each node is rotated this absolute amount from its computed angle. (Float)

Proportional: Favor Splits
Positions the generated nodes on major bends or jinks.

This is useful when trying the recreate the natural look of a branch splitting.

Proportional: Align style
Each node will either be aligned uniquely (“Individual”) or relative to the parent's orientation at its base (“Group”). Use “Group” to keep children consistent across the length of the parent (e.g., fern fronds). (Enumeration)

Proportional: Align
The first node in each step is centered vertically on its parent. (Enumeration)

Shared: Size Scalar
Scales not only the size of the nodes themselves, but also the size of their children. (Float)

Shared: First
The lowest point on the parent where nodes can occur. (Percentage)

Shared: Last
The highest point on the parent where nodes can occur. (Percentage)

Shared: Sink
Adjusts the starting position of all nodes, allowing them to “sink” into (or be pushed away from) their parent. Importantly, sink is applied after branch welding is computed. (Float)

Shared: Degradation Style

  • Default: If degradation is enabled, the frequency scalar will only affect this generator if it is the topological end of a generator chain (i.e. it has no children). (Enumeration)
  • Always: If degradation is enabled, the frequency scalar will always affect this generator. (Enumeration)
  • Never: If degradation is enabled, the frequency scalar will never affect this generator (useful for something like roots, which often have no children but do not slow down compute). (Enumeration)

Shared: Pruning
Removes branches systematically after generation (post-balance and stepping). (Curve)

Masks
Assign mask assets here to limit the placement of generation. Read more about mask assets in the documentation. (Multiproperty)

Collections
When checked, the geometry of this generator is included in one or more mesh collections. (Multiproperty)

Collections must be enabled on the 'Mesh Asset Bar' first to appear here. See the help manual for more information on collections.




Proportional Steps

Proportional Steps: Steps
The number of steps (each step has one or more children) assigned to a parent of average length (longer parents get more steps, shorter parents get fewer).

Nodes are grouped into lengthwise “steps” along the parent node. (Integer)

Per Step: Number
The number of nodes in a step. (Integer)

Per Step: Offset
The computed angle for each node is offset [+/-] between 0 and this amount. (Float)

Per Step: Roll
Each node is rotated this absolute amount from its computed angle. (Float)

Proportional Steps: Jumble
A variance of each of the placement attributes is placed on each individual node in order to achieve a more natural and random appearance. (Float)

Proportional Steps: Sweep
The arc around the parent node where nodes are eligible. (Percentage)

Proportional Steps: Roll
Each step is rotated this absolute amount from its computed angle. (Float)

Proportional: Align style
Each node will either be aligned uniquely (“Individual”) or relative to the parent's orientation at its base (“Group”). Use “Group” to keep children consistent across the length of the parent (e.g., fern fronds). (Enumeration)

Proportional: Align
The first node in each step is centered vertically on its parent. (Enumeration)

Shared: Size Scalar
Scales not only the size of the nodes themselves, but also the size of their children. (Float)

Shared: First
The lowest point on the parent where nodes can occur. (Percentage)

Shared: Last
The highest point on the parent where nodes can occur. (Percentage)

Shared: Sink
Adjusts the starting position of all nodes, allowing them to “sink” into (or be pushed away from) their parent. Importantly, sink is applied after branch welding is computed. (Float)

Shared: Degradation Style

  • Default: If degradation is enabled, the frequency scalar will only affect this generator if it is the topological end of a generator chain (i.e. it has no children). (Enumeration)
  • Always: If degradation is enabled, the frequency scalar will always affect this generator. (Enumeration)
  • Never: If degradation is enabled, the frequency scalar will never affect this generator (useful for something like roots, which often have no children but do not slow down compute). (Enumeration)

Shared: Pruning
Removes branches systematically after generation (post-balance and stepping). (Curve)

Masks
Assign mask assets here to limit the placement of generation. Read more about mask assets in the documentation. (Multiproperty)

Collections
When checked, the geometry of this generator is included in one or more mesh collections. (Multiproperty)

Collections must be enabled on the 'Mesh Asset Bar' first to appear here. See the help manual for more information on collections.




Absolute

Absolute: Number
The number of nodes generated. (Integer / Float)

Absolute: Jumble
A variance of each of the placement attributes is placed on each individual node in order to achieve a more natural and random appearance. (Float)

Absolute: Sweep
The arc around the parent node where nodes are eligible. (Percentage)

Absolute: Roll
Each node is rotated this absolute amount from its computed angle. (Float)

Proportional: Favor Splits
Positions the generated nodes on major bends or jinks.

This is useful when trying the recreate the natural look of a branch splitting.

Proportional: Align style
Each node will either be aligned uniquely (“Individual”) or relative to the parent's orientation at its base (“Group”). Use “Group” to keep children consistent across the length of the parent (e.g., fern fronds). (Enumeration)

Proportional: Align
The first node in each step is centered vertically on its parent. (Enumeration)

Shared: Size Scalar
Scales not only the size of the nodes themselves, but also the size of their children. (Float)

Shared: First
The lowest point on the parent where nodes can occur. (Percentage)

Shared: Last
The highest point on the parent where nodes can occur. (Percentage)

Shared: Sink
Adjusts the starting position of all nodes, allowing them to “sink” into (or be pushed away from) their parent. Importantly, sink is applied after branch welding is computed. (Float)

Shared: Degradation Style

  • Default: If degradation is enabled, the frequency scalar will only affect this generator if it is the topological end of a generator chain (i.e. it has no children). (Enumeration)
  • Always: If degradation is enabled, the frequency scalar will always affect this generator. (Enumeration)
  • Never: If degradation is enabled, the frequency scalar will never affect this generator (useful for something like roots, which often have no children but do not slow down compute). (Enumeration)

Shared: Pruning
Removes branches systematically after generation (post-balance and stepping). (Curve)

Masks
Assign mask assets here to limit the placement of generation. Read more about mask assets in the documentation. (Multiproperty)

Collections
When checked, the geometry of this generator is included in one or more mesh collections. (Multiproperty)

Collections must be enabled on the 'Mesh Asset Bar' first to appear here. See the help manual for more information on collections.




Absolute Steps

Absolute Steps: Steps
The number of steps generated (each step has one or more nodes).

Nodes are grouped into lengthwise “steps” along the parent node. Each step contains approximately (Generation: Frequency ÷ Generation: Step: Number) branches. (Integer)

Per Step: Number
The number of nodes in a step. (Integer)

Per Step: Offset
The computed angle for each node is offset [+/-] between 0 and this amount. (Float)

Per Step: Roll
Each node is rotated this absolute amount from its computed angle. (Float)

Absolute Steps: Jumble
A variance of each of the placement attributes is placed on each individual node in order to achieve a more natural and random appearance. (Float)

Absolute Steps: Sweep
The arc around the parent node where nodes are eligible. (Percentage)

Absolute Steps: Roll
Each step is rotated this absolute amount from its computed angle. (Float)

Proportional: Align style
Each node will either be aligned uniquely (“Individual”) or relative to the parent's orientation at its base (“Group”). Use “Group” to keep children consistent across the length of the parent (e.g., fern fronds). (Enumeration)

Proportional: Align
The first node in each step is centered vertically on its parent. (Enumeration)

Shared: Size Scalar
Scales not only the size of the nodes themselves, but also the size of their children. (Float)

Shared: First
The lowest point on the parent where nodes can occur. (Percentage)

Shared: Last
The highest point on the parent where nodes can occur. (Percentage)

Shared: Sink
Adjusts the starting position of all nodes, allowing them to “sink” into (or be pushed away from) their parent. Importantly, sink is applied after branch welding is computed. (Float)

Shared: Degradation Style

  • Default: If degradation is enabled, the frequency scalar will only affect this generator if it is the topological end of a generator chain (i.e. it has no children). (Enumeration)
  • Always: If degradation is enabled, the frequency scalar will always affect this generator. (Enumeration)
  • Never: If degradation is enabled, the frequency scalar will never affect this generator (useful for something like roots, which often have no children but do not slow down compute). (Enumeration)

Shared: Pruning
Removes branches systematically after generation (post-balance and stepping). (Curve)

Masks
Assign mask assets here to limit the placement of generation. Read more about mask assets in the documentation. (Multiproperty)

Collections
When checked, the geometry of this generator is included in one or more mesh collections. (Multiproperty)

Collections must be enabled on the 'Mesh Asset Bar' first to appear here. See the help manual for more information on collections.